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Talk about karma.
The Synthesis 2012 Festival, which marked the end of the Mayan Long Count Calendar, was supposed to be an opportunity to bring spiritually minded people together around the Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen Itza, Mexico to help usher in a new age of cooperation and goodwill. That was the vision espoused by Executive Producer Michael DiMartino, a Californian who said he had been leading tours in the area for decades and setting up this event for years.
Instead, this anticipated moment of enlightenment became what can politely be called a clusterfuck, a descent into utter chaos for many volunteers and attendees. Hundreds of Bay Area people traveling to an uplifting holiday event found themselves stranded in an isolated location without the transportation, sustenance, or communications they'd been told would be available.
Now DiMartino is trying to settle a long list of refund demands, and there are threats of lawsuits on all sides.
When I first interviewed him about the festival, back in October, DiMartino was talking like a New Age prophet: "We, through our actions and intentions, create the world and take the path that we are creating," he said.
So DiMartino is walking the rocky path of his own creation, facing recriminations for ignoring warnings about looming problems, and vilified both for his alleged managerial failures and for the sometimes appalling way he treated people.
About 150 people have joined the "Synthesis 2012 Scam Awareness" group on Facebook — which has barred Synthesis staff from joining the discussion — where they're telling their stories of hardship and woe, sharing research into DiMartino's history with other events, and organizing collective responses to the problem.
Micaela Teal Santos, who helped create and administer the Facebook group, told us her honeymoon trip turned into a nightmare of missing shuttles and meals and being forced to camp alone in the jungle after local authorities shut down the festival campground for several hours, missing the long-anticipated sacred ceremony at sunrise on Dec. 21.
It was one of many similar stories. People who were promised hotel rooms by DiMartino arrived to find those rooms had been given away to others and no vacancies were available — at a site far from any other accommodations. Shuttles that were supposed to bring revelers from other towns to the festival site never arrived, forcing people to spend hundreds of dollars on cabs or private shuttles, and volunteers who came early to create the festival often weren't provided food or water at a site that turned out to be five miles from the nearest town.
Luckily for DiMartino, he has been surrounded by people who really do embody the positive, patient, and resourceful values that the festival was meant to highlight, from his co-producer Debra Giusti (founder of the Harmony Festival) to Tulku and the Bay Area crew that created the AscenDance stage to the many volunteers who stepped up to address the myriad problems and voids that manifested as the event unfolded.
"That's the real story, it's how people under extreme adversity came together to make this happen," said Giusti, who has been working almost every day since the festival officially ended on Dec. 23 to deal with its fallout, from the attendees still stranded in Mexico without money to get back to the bus filled with festival supplies that still hasn't returned, to the dozens of attendees who say they feel cheated by DiMartino.
Many of the DiMartino's biggest critics have made efforts to remain positive and couch their criticisms in the New Age style of empowerment and acceptance but it's clearly been a bitter disappointment to attendees who hoped the festival would be a launching pad into a new era of harmony and hope.
In an interview with the Guardian, DiMartino disputed many of the characterizations on the Facebook site, darkly warning that his lawyer is looking into "the bandwagon of people on a witch hunt." But he repeatedly said that he takes full responsibility for problems at the event and accepts that he will probably lose a significant amount of money once the final accounting is done.
"There were logistical breakdowns, but that doesn't constitute a scam," DiMartino said, noting that he is issuing some partial refunds and "dealing with people on a one-by-one basis."
But both in his public and private statements, DiMartino's tendency to blame the festival's problems on Mexico, or on volunteers, or on forces beyond his control — or, as he repeatedly told me, "systemic problems," as if it was a system he didn't create and run — has only added to people's frustrations with the festival.
Giusti defends DiMartino as a "visionary" who has problems with organization and follow-through. "Michael would act like everything was handled and it obviously wasn't. It was very frustrating."
We heard many stories of DiMartino not responding well, an approach that seems to have helped create many of the problems at the event. Two of the more compelling and condemning narratives come from two longtime festival organizers, Xochi Raye and Corey Rosen, who say DiMartino responded vindictively when they raised concerns about looming problems.
Rosen didn't actually attend the festival, saying he was forced out of his production manager role for raising questions about preparations, such as the ill-fated decision to save money on transporting materials to the festival by using a volunteer crew and bus, which was turned around at the border by officials with concerns for their safety.
"My biggest issue was transportation and safety. Within the festival community, there is an ongoing joke about 'safety third,' but that is just a joke," Rosen told me. "For them to call these unforeseen circumstances is bullshit…There are a lot of unforeseen circumstances that happen in events. But if you plan for the foreseeable one, you can handle the unforeseeable ones."
Rosen goes so far as to say he doesn't believe DiMartino's claims to have made advanced reservations for shuttles and other services that didn't materialize. "People were trusting that Michael had things taken care of, and when I wanted to double-check, people said we didn't need to do that," Rosen said. "Michael told me my negative comments would not create a positive outlook."
DiMartino said his computer and many documents were stolen from his car in Playa del Carmen before the event, complicating festival logistics and making it difficult to provide the proof that people are requesting.
To those who believed that the end of the Mayan calendar, coinciding with other New Age beliefs that Dec. 21, 2012, would be signal the beginning of an era of expanded human consciousness, Chichen Itza was considered a place of spiritual power and significance. That clearly made people more trusting of DiMartino's intentions.
Raye took over some of Rosen's duties — and much more in Mexico, as problems developed in the run-up to the event. She wrote out a long narrative for the Synthesis 2012 Scam site that tells a harrowing tale created largely by DiMartino's undelivered promises and bad behavior when questioned.
"Michael said he had been focusing on getting basic needs such as toilets and water in place by the time we landed, and yet basic needs were not established until we had been there for several days, resulting in production time and volunteers lost, as well as many people becoming sick," she wrote.
Dozens of people told us that things would have been even worse if people on the ground didn't take the initiative, noting that DiMartino even refused to come to the campground for five hours while police blocked access to weary attendees until after 2am, an incident he minimized to us, calling it a miscommunication and insisting "I had a personal arrangement with the property owner."
Giusti said she and other staffers are moving rapidly toward resolution of all the problems surrounding Synthesis, from refunds to attendees (many of whom paid $499 each for a "full experience pass") to compensation for staff, both financial and spiritual.
"Michael does need to come forward and apologize to people," Giusti told us, noting that she is planning a healing ritual to bring closure to this whole saga. "He will sit in the center of a circle and hear what everyone went through."


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Snezha Matthewson
SNEZHA TSONEVA MATTHEWSON was born in 1959 in the city of Plovdiv. She finished the English Language School in Plovdiv and graduated from English Studies at St. Kliment Okhridski University of Plovdiv in 1984. In 1988 she stated work as assistant professor in The Paissii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv. In 1993 she earned a Fulbright Scholarship and graduated from the MA programme of Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as Foreign Language from South Illinois University of Carbondale in 1996. In 2006 she defended her doctoral dissertation at St. Andrews University, Scotland. From 2007 she resumed her teaching and research activity at The Paissii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv. Presently she is chief assistant professor and is involved in cognitive linguistics studies and historical grammar of English.
List of Publications of Snezha Matthewson
- Elision of final -e in repetitive pairs of the type far and wide, whole and sound, etc. in Late Old English and Early Middle English Texts. Scientific works, vol. 29, 1, 1991. Philology, Plovdiv University Paissii Hilendarski.
- Language and Gender. Curriculum Agenda on Women, Women's Awareness Project: Issues and Accomplishments. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Women's Studies Program #6518, 1996.
- Elizaveta Karamihailova : Bulgarian pioneer of radioactivity. In Rayner-Canham, M. F and Rayner-Canham, G. A devotion to science: pioneer women in radioactivity. Philadelphia : Chemical Heritage Foundation ; Montreal : McGill-Queen's University Press, 1997.
- CAN: The Symbiosis of Choice and Control. In He, A.W. Reconstructing Institutions. Language Use in Academic Counseling Encounters. Greenwich, CT and London, UK: Ablex, 1998.
- The Symbiosis of Choice and Control: Toward a discourse-based account of CAN. Journal of Pragmatics, 1998, pp 615-637, (co-authored with A. He).
- Will and be going to in the context of academic counselling, Philology, Plovdiv University Press, 1998.
- How the Camel Got Its Hump: Bringing Literature Back into the ESL Clasroom. TESOL Arabia '98. Conference Proceedings, vol. 3, 1999.
- Bydeshteto v starobylgarskiya ezik i teoriyata za prototipite (The future in Old Bulgarian and ptototype theory). Sypostavitelno ezikoznanie (Contrastive Linguistics) XXIV, 4, 1999, St. Kliment Ohridski University Press, Sofia, pp.82-96.
- Cognitive Linguistics. Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems, 2004, EOLLS Publishers, Oxford.
- Colour Predication in Russian and Bulgarian' in Vladimir Trendafilov and Irena Vassileva (eds.), BOUNDARIES, BOUNDARY CROSSING, CROSS-BOUNDARY TRANSFER: Proceedings of the 2007 BSBS and BASA Annual Conference (SOUTH-WESTERN UNIVERSITY NEOFIT RILSKI' BLAGOEVGRAD, PHILOLOGICAL FACULTY, 2009, pp. 364-380.
- Polysemy of the Bulgarian Preposition НА, Международна Юбилейна Научна конференция "250 години История Славянобългарска", 2012, pp. 152-16.
- CAN COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS HELP IN TEACHING PREPOSITIONS in Чуждоезиковото обучение в контекста на интеркултурната комуникация, 2014, Издателство ИВИС, Велико Търново, 198-207.
- THE SEMANTICS OF THE PREPOSITION WITH ACROSS FRAMEWORKS в Сборник в чест на 80-годишнината на професор Бистра Алексиева.
Books Translated from English into Bulgarian
- Честър Хаймз. От Любов към Имабел. Издателство "Христо Г. Данов", 1986.
Books Translated from Bulgarian into English
- A Culture at Cossroads, Lettera Publishers, 2009.
- The Cultural Diversity of Bulgaria. Lettera, 2012.

subset: commoncrawl


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We've been covering the LEGO Lord of the Rings set unveiling with a great deal of anticipation here over the past few months, and today the full set has finally be revealed. They're (as expected) super cool, and not only do we get all the major characters from the Fellowship, but LEGO is also releasing Uruk-hai, Ringwraith, Moria Orc, and Mordor Orc characters. But that's not all! My favorite character of the lineup is definitely the uber-creepy Gollum, for whom we also have a LEGO character poster. All in all, it's a pretty good day for fans of LEGO and The Lord of the Rings. Hit the jump to check out the images and Gollum poster.
If you missed the other character posters, be sure to check out Aragorn, Legolas, and Frodo right here. Click on the below images to embiggen.


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New Haven, Conn. — A team led by Yale University scientists has developed a new approach to studying how immune cells chase down bacteria in our bodies. Their findings are described in the November 15 issue of Nature Methods Advanced Online Publication.
When bacteria enter our bodies they secrete molecules, leaving behind chemical trails as they move through our system. It has been known for some time that immune cells follow these trails in order to hunt the bacteria. However, studying exactly how immune cells process these chemical signals has been challenging.
Now a team of scientists — led by Eric Dufresne, the John J. Lee Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Holger Kress, a postdoctoral associate in the Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science — has developed a way to create artificial chemical trails that can be shaped in three dimensions over time. By controlling the chemical trails, the team was able to control the movements of neutrophils — immune cells in the blood ? and study how they are able to respond to these signals.
The team used sponge-like microparticles, designed by the laboratory of Tarek Fahmy, associate professor of biomedical engineering at Yale, that mimicked bacteria by slowly releasing a characteristic bacterial "scent." They then moved these microparticles using focused beams of light to control the pattern of released chemicals over space and time, stimulating the immune cells to respond. The neutrophils can be seen following the microparticles on videos produced by the researchers.
"By fusing recent advances in optical and materials science, we've developed a new approach to control chemical microenvironments with light," said Dufresne, who developed holographic optical tweezers ? the underlying technology used to manipulate the microparticles ? in the late 1990s. "Until now, people have used optical tweezers to move physical objects. We've demonstrated that they can also be used to manipulate chemical gradients."
The team used two different chemicals, one of which attracted the cells and another that repelled them, to demonstrate how they could direct the neutrophils into moving along a path, either toward or away from the microparticles. They could also examine how the cells responded when there were conflicting signals sent by several of the artificial bacteria.
Chemotaxis ? the migration of cells based on chemical signals in their environment ? plays an important role in a number of biological processes and diseases beyond the immune system. "Understanding how cells move in response to chemical stimuli can help us better understand how a single egg develops into a complex organism or how brain cells grow into a network of neurons in a growing embryo, or how cancer cells spread through the body," Kress said. "This technique could give biologists insight into the ways many different types of cells respond to environmental stimuli in a wide range of situations."
Authors of the paper include Holger Kress, Jin-Gyu Park, Cecile Mejean, Jason Forster, Jason Park, Yong Zhang, Dianqing Wu, Tarek Fahmy and Eric Dufresne (all of Yale University); Spencer Walse (U.S. Department of Agriculture); Orion D Weiner (University of California, San Francisco).
The research was funded by the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.


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Scott Adams' Secret of Success: Failure
What's the best way to climb to the top? Be a failure.
If you're already as successful as you want to be, both personally and professionally, congratulations! Here's the not-so-good news: All you are likely to get from this article is a semientertaining tale about a guy who failed his way to success. But you might also notice some familiar patterns in my story that will give you confirmation (or confirmation bias) that your own success wasn't entirely luck.
If you're just starting your journey toward success—however you define it—or you're wondering what you've been doing wrong...
To Read the Full Story


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I have written often about the need for genealogists and most everyone else to make frequent backup copies of files that are important to them. You never know when a hardware failure, a hurricane, a fire, a burst water pipe, or other disaster will destroy what might be your only copies of genealogy records, old family photographs, and much more. Actually, I believe the most common cause of destroyed data is simple human error. "Oooops! I didn't mean to click on that icon!"
Making frequent backups can be a simple process and doing so provides cheap insurance. Of course, you always want to keep at least one copy of your backed-up files "off site." That means most anyplace other than the place where your computer is located. If your computer is at home, keep backup copies at the office or in a cloud-based file storage service or at a relatives's house (located some distance away) or in a safe deposit box or most any other place where one disaster will not destroy both the computer(s) and the backed up copies.
Of course, everyone likes the idea of free services. Indeed, a number of companies even offer FREE storage of backed up files. A Swedish company with the unusual name of Degoo offers the most free storage space of all: 100 gigabytes. I am not aware of any other company that offers 100 gigabytes of FREE storage space.
I started reading reviews of a number of cloud-based file storage services to find one more such service to store my files. I especially was interested in services that offer a lot of FREE storage space. I soon found the strangely-named Degoo service that is based in Sweden. However, I immediately found that many of the reviews contradicted other reviews. Some reviews faulted the online service for not having certain capabilities while other reviews praised the same free service because it had excellent implementations of the same capabilities!
After a bit of study, the reason for the contradictions became apparent. It seems that Degoo launched a while ago with the creators' ideas about what would make a good product. Would-be customers apparently disagreed. The original version of Degoo wasn't very successful in the marketplace so the company's managers started listening to feedback from the folks who did not sign up for the service. Soon, new features started appearing and old software was totally re-written. Within a few months, Degoo had morphed into a totally different product. The various reviews published online varied widely because the reviewers were looking at the product on different dates with different versions of the software in use.
In order to clear up the confusion, I decided to write this review of Degoo as I experienced the service on November 26, 2018. I will suggest you disregard any reviews written before that date. I suspect there will be even more changes, however. If you read this article at a later date, you might want to look for even more reviews written about Degoo well after December 26, 2018.
In short, I like Degoo and I signed up for the service. However, there are some drawbacks to Degoo that you should consider before using it as a backup service or file storage service.
Yes, Degoo offers 100 gigabytes of FREE storage space available to anyone and everyone immediately upon signing up for the service. You can also obtain even more storage space by inviting friends to also sign up for the service. Every friend who does accept your offer and signs up for Degoo's free service will result in an additional 3 gigabytes of storage service being added to your account, up to a maximum of 500 gigabytes.
OPTIONAL: If you would like to obtain an additional 3 gigabytes of file storage space (for a total of 103 gigabytes) and also add 3 gigabytes to my Degoo account, click on this link and sign up for the free service: https://cloud.degoo.com/drive-q_lzgop7-jjt.
Use of the bonus sign-up link is optional; there is no requirement to sign up at https://cloud.degoo.com/drive-q_lzgop7-jjt. You may prefer to go to the normal sign-up procedure at https://cloud.degoo.com/ and sign up there. In that case, you do not get the extra 3 gigabytes of free storage space and I do not obtain a bonus of an extra 3 gigabytes of space on my account. I certainly can live without the additional space. Whether you use the bonus sign-up link or not, your cost remains the same: FREE. Your choice.
I started using Degoo as one of my backup services and it worked well. The service really is free and it does not seem to display advertising, does not inundate you with email messages suggesting you purchase extra-cost services, and generally operates like a respectable citizen of the online community.
NOTE: I would never trust only ONE backup service to always be available. Instead, I back up my important files to several cloud-based file storage services. Degoo is now one of them. I back up multiple copies of my important files to several different services because I am confident that the online services won't ALL disappear simultaneously at the moment I need to restore some files. I prefer to keep my eggs in multiple baskets and my backed-up files in multiple services and locations.
Degoo is based in Sweden, an excellent choice for anyone interested in privacy. It seems that Sweden has very strong privacy laws that prohibit collecting personal information and using it for any purpose other than what is specified in the user agreement. I wish Facebook was based in Sweden! Then again, Facebook wouldn't last long when constrained by Swedish privacy laws!
As if the privacy laws were not enough, files copied to Degoo's servers also are end-to-end encrypted for your security. Even better is the "top secret" option intended for files that you might wish to use even more security. According to the Degoo web site at https://degoo.com/features, "Our top secret feature encrypts your files with a passphrase known only by you, not stored in Degoo, encoded into chunks and spread out to data centers in different countries." If the passphrase is known only by you, not stored in Degoo, you will be the only person who can ever decode your files.
Of course, this is a two-edge sword. If Degoo's top secret feature encrypts your files with a passphrase known only by you amd not stored in Degoo, that means that not only can no one else ever see your files but also that no one else can ever help you retrieve your files should you ever forget the passphrase. If you forget the passphrase, your files will be lost forever. Don't call Degoo customer service to ask for help in recovering the passphrase you created as the Degoo employees cannot see it! (Remember that the statement is, "…not stored in Degoo…")
The secret passphrase will only be stored in your (human) memory or in any place where you write it down! I'd suggest you write it down and save it in a secure place.
If a corporate spy, government spy, or a credit card hacker does manage to obtain a copy of one of your encrypted file chunks (which is highly unlikely), he or she will be unable to read anything within the file. First of all, he or she will only have part of the file, not the entire thing. Next, the contents of the encrypted file chunk will look something like this:
Yes, it will be total gibberish until your computer decodes it when you retrieve the file(s).
Thanks to the the file encryption and "chunking" of each file into smaller pieces and saving each piece in different locations, Degoo is one of the few online file storage services that I trust to store my passwords, income tax records, Social Security Number, and other sensitive information.
Degoo also has an option to keep copies of all files even after you have deleted them from your computer. Deleting a file from your computer does not automatically delete the copy of the same file from Degoo's servers although you can enable an option to do that, should you wish to do so.
The Degoo software is available for Windows, Macintosh, Android, and Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch) devices. On the smartphones, there is an option to enable auto upload of your photo folders to ensure the pictures from your latest adventures are always securely stored in Degoo.
There is no Degoo software for a Chromebook, however. Then again, Chromebooks already store all their files in a different encrypted cloud-based file storage service so the Chromebook owner probably has little need for Degoo's services.
One thing to keep in mind is that copying many gigabytes of files over the typical in-home broadband Internet connection will require a long time. The exact amount of time required depends upon both the upload speed of your Internet connection (not the download speed!) and the amount of data to be uploaded. Backing up 100 gigabytes on most in-home Internet connections will require many hours, possibly days. That is not the only problem, however.
Should you ever lose all your files in your computer, downloading 100 gigabytes of files also will require a lot of time. Many Internet services provide faster download speeds than upload speeds but, even so, hours and possibly days may be required to download everything. Again, this is a limitation of all file storage and file backup services, not just Degoo.
Some online backup services will optionally copy all your files to a flash drive or to a portable hard drive and then send them to you via overnight air freight. For once, a FedEx truck can be faster than the Internet! However, the sending of files to you in a flash drive or a hard drive service usually isn't cheap and not many consumer file storage services offer such a service. Degoo does not offer any such restores via flash drives or hard drives.
NOTE: BackBlaze is one of the few file storage services that DOES offer restores via flashdrives and hard drives. Details may be found at: https://www.backblaze.com/.
Degoo does not copy files between computers in the same manner as Dropbox and some other file storage products. That is, if you own two or more computers (perhaps a desktop and a laptop system), Degoo does not automatically copy files between the computers.
Degoo is available in two versions: FREE and PAID.
Drawbacks of the FREE Degoo Service
First of all, with Degoo's free file storage service will only copy files from one computer and only once every two days. For many computer owners, that's often enough. Should you wish to store files from multiple computers or to make more frequent backup copies, you need to upgrade to the paid service.
Next, Degoo's free users need to log in to the file storage service at least once every 75 days or risk losing their account. The folks at Degoo apparently don't want to waste file space by storing files for people who have lost interest in the service or possibly may have become disabled or even deceased. As a means of making sure the customer is still alive, active, and interested in keeping backed up files available online, Degoo requires each free customer to log in manually at least once every 75 days.
Simply logging in and then logging out will keep your account active for another 75 days.
Another drawback of Degoo's free service is that the entire product is still new and is being updated and improved frequently. After signing up for the service, you should keep an eye on Degoo's latest announcements to make sure you have always selected the best options for your use.
Advantages of the PAID Degoo Service
While Degoo does offer the most file storage space of all of today's cloud-based free file storage services, the free offering appears to simply be a "free trial" of the company's paid service. Indeed, that strikes me as a very effective form of advertising. There is no requirement to ever upgrade. Each customer is able to use the free service forever, assuming he or she logs in at least once every 75 days. I suspect that many free customers will never see any need to upgrade. However, for those who have an interest, the Degoo paid service is also very attractive.
The paid service costs $9.99 US per month. By paying for one year, 5 years, or even 100 years (!) in advance, significant discounts are available. I am not sure how many people will pay $1,199 for a 100-year subscription. Still, that's roughly $1 per month, an attractive price if you plan to live for many more years. Even if you plan to live for less than 100 more years, divide $1,199 by your expected lifespan to determine what the Degoo service will cost for your expected lifetime if you select the 100-year option.
Each paid customer obtains:
2 terabytes (2,000 gigabytes) of cloud storage space – That's 20 times the storage space of the free version. 2 terabytes is undoubtedly more than enough storage space for most individuals to back up not only their desktop computer but also a laptop, multiple Android or Apple iOS tablets and smartphones, and more.
Paid users may refer other users to obtain an additional terabyte (1,000 gigabytes) for each referral that results in another person signing up for the paid service.
An unlimited number of computers may store files on Degoo's paid service – The limitation is on the total size of all the files stored, not on the number of computers. For instance, if the user owns ten or more computers, he or she can back up all of them to Degoo's paid service as long as the total size of all files does not exceed 2 terabytes or the maximum file storage space earned by referring friends to the service.
The 75-day sign-in restriction is removed. Files stored in Degoo's paid service will remain available for as long as payments are kept current.
Also, the first two weeks of Degoo's paid service are offered free of change. If you change your mind and decide you do not want to use Degoo's paid service, simply cancel within the first two weeks and you will not be charged anything.
Is Degoo the best cloud-based file storage service? A slightly different question asks if Degoo is the best FREE cloud-based file storage service. I cannot find a simple yes or no answer to either question. Instead, it all depends upon your needs and preferences. However, for many computer users who need to back up 100 gigabytes or less of data, Degoo's FREE service perhaps is the best choice. Your needs and preferences might dictate a different answer, however.
For more information or to sign up for Degoo's free or paid services, go to https://degoo.com.
If you would like to take advantage of my referral to obtain a total of 103 gigabytes of file storage space while simultaneously crediting me with an extra 3 gigabytes of storage space in my account, go to https://cloud.degoo.com/drive-q_lzgop7-jjt and sign up there. Again, obtaining the extra file storage space for both you and me is entirely optional. Please select the option you prefer.


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Naureen Shameem
It is a scandal that in 2013 women still risk death by stoning in 15 countries. Incredibly, that number is now set to rise as the southeast Asian kingdom of Brunei prepares to introduce this brutal punishment.
Last month, the Sultan of Brunei announced a harsh new penal code based on an interpretation of sharia law. Along with flogging and amputation for certain crimes, the code introduces death by stoning as a punishment for adultery.
Let's be clear. Stoning is a heinous and protracted form of torture, and one of the cruellest kinds of violence perpetrated against women to control and punish them for the exercise of their basic freedoms and control over their own bodies.


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Posts Tagged 'crazy eights'
- In: Rummy
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More than a rainy-day past time, playing card games is a great way for families to bond. It provides hours of non-stop entertainment for all age group players. A deck of rummy cards can go a long way towards family fun so refresh your memory on these classic rummy games and discover a new game to play in the family tonight!
Swedish Rummy
This card game is more popularly known as "Crazy Eights" and "Stops game", because in this rummy game players can be stopped from discarding if they don't have an appropriate card. The objective of the game is to get rid of all the cards in hand. The Swedish rummy is fast paced game of luck and skills and can be played between two or more players. The fun part of the game is that all the eights are wild cards.
How to play Swedish Rummy
- Choose a dealer: The dealer will hand out seven or five cards to each player depending upon the number of players in the game. If players are more than two than usually five cards are dealt to each player.
- Rest of the cards are placed in the middle of the playing arena, faced down.The top card of the pile is faced up so as to start the discard pile. The game play moves clockwise to the dealer. The player to the left of the dealer, goes first.
- When it is a player's turn, he or she adds to the discard pile by playing a card that matches the top card that is in discard pile. This can be done with either a matching the suit or the rank such as a jack or a nine.
- If a player cannot match the top card that is laid out on the discard pile by suit or by rank, he or she must draw cards from the stack until he or she can play one that matches the card facing up.
- If there are no more cards in the draw pile, simply use the ones in the pile you have been stacking up. Shuffle them well so as there will be no particular order.
- The first player to discard all of his cards wins.
- The game can keep going if the Winner wants to let others play until only the last person has cards in his or her hand.
Indian Rummy
Indian rummy or paplu is another variation of rummy that is popular in the Indian continent. In Indian rummy each player play the game with 13 cards therefore it is also called as 13 cards Indian rummy game. This game is played between 2 to 6 players therefore if the players are more than two deck of cards are required with jokers.
How to play Indian Rummy
- First, A set of 13 cards is dealt to each player in no particular order
- Cards in each suit rank, from low to high: Ace 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Jack Queen King. Ace is also considered as Face card, In case of face cards, it gets similar points as king and queen.
- Objective of the game is to arrange all 13 cards in-hand in sequences and/or sets of 3,3,3 and 4 cards.
- At the start of the game, one player selects a card out of the stock. This card determines an additional set of jokers for that hand as below:
- Card of same rank of any color. or
- Card of same rank but of opposite color known as opposite joker. or
- The next higher card of the same suit called as "paplu". This card functions as a wild card joker, but the holder is awarded an additional bonus from each player at the end of the round.
- Every player picks/discards a card from the additional closed/open deck to complete sets and/or sequences turn by turn.
- The player needs to show the cards in hand by grouping them in sets/sequences to declare.
- In order to finish the game, the player needs to declare at least two sequences, of which one must be a pure sequence.
Here is a site where you can play and practice rummy games popular in India.
Gin Rummy
Gin rummy is a fast rummy game played between two players. Gin rummy is played with a standard deck of 52 cards with Cards rank, from low to high: Ace 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Jack Queen King.
How To Play Gin Rummy
The objective of the game is to collect sets (three or four of a kind, or three or more consecutive cards of the same suit) to earn agreed number of points before the opponent.
- First a dealer is randomly chosen to deal the first round and after that usually the winner of each round deals the next. The dealer shuffles the deck and deal 10 cards each. The twenty-first card is turned face up to start the discard pile and the remaining of the cards are placed face down beside it to form the draw pile.
- A typical turn comprises of two parts,
One, player must take a card, either the top card from draw or from discard pile.
two, player must discard a card faced up onto the top of discard pile.
- For the very first turn of the hand, the player who did not deal chooses whether or not to take the first faced up card. If that player declines, the dealer may take the card. If both refuses to take the faced up card, the non-dealer draws the top card from the draw pile.
- Play can end "knock" the play at his turn if, after drawing a card, he can form adequate sets, discard one card, and have 10 points or fewer (of unmatched cards or deadwood) remaining in his hand.
- Ending the play in this way is called as knocking. Knocking with no unmatched cards at all is called going gin, and earns a special bonus.
- A player who can meet the requirement of not more than 10 deadwood can knock on any turn, including the first. A player is never forced to knock if able to, but may choose instead to carry on playing, to try to get a better score.
- If a player goes gin, the opponent is not allowed to lay off any cards.
- The knocker is never allowed to lay off cards on the opponent's sets or runs.
- The play also ends if the stock pile is reduced to two cards, and the player who took the third last card discards without knocking. In this case the hand is cancelled, there is no score, and the same dealer deals again.
- Each player calculates the value of their unmatched cards. If the knocker's count is lower, he scores the difference between the two counts.
- If the knocker did not go gin, and the values are equal — or the knocker's value is greater than his opponent's — then the knocker has been undercut. The knocker's opponent scores 10 points plus the difference between the values.
Turns are played until one player's cumulative score reaches 100 points or more. That player is the winner.
There are many variations of Gin Rummy. one is Straight gin in which knocking is not allowed. so players are required to play till gin. second is Oklahama gin in which the value of the first upcard is used to determine the maximum count at which players can knock. Face cards count as 10; aces count as 0 (no knocking allowed, players must play for gin). If the upcard is a spade, the hand will count double. The target score for winning Oklahoma gin is generally set at 150 rather than 100. Some play that if an ace is turned up you may only knock if you can go gin. In Hollywood gin, scoring is kept for three different games at the same time. A player's first win will be recorded in extra box in Game One. A player's second win will be recorded in their extra boxes for both Game One and Game Two. Their third win will be recorded in their extra boxes for all three games.
Hands are played until all three games are finished.
Apart from the above mentioned games there are many others; a few of them are Bing, Canasta rummy, Robbers, Rummy 500, Kalooki, Panguingue etc. I will try to compile them in different posts of rummy category, hope my passion for card games will help some of the families to enjoy some fun time playing cards in their home.


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How to Get What You Want
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What do you want? How likely are you to make it happen in the time frame you want? The truth is we often need the actions of others to accomplish our goals. The best way to get what you want is to figure out why someone else wants you to have it.
In this interactive session of ExecuNet Master Class, Michelle Tillis Lederman, author of The 11 Laws of Likability and The Connectors Advantage, will reveal the three reasons people take action and how to increase your aptitude of each technique.
Session benefits:
- Recognize the three reasons people take action
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- Discover how to position requests using WIIFT
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- Ask for what you want with ease and increase the odds of getting a yes
Details:Host: Michelle Tillis Lederman
Date: Thursday, May 23, 2019
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Place: Your PC at Home or Work
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About the Presenter:Named one of Forbes Top 25 Networking Experts, Michelle Tillis Lederman is the author of The 11 Laws of Likability, Heroes Get Hired, and Nail The Interview -Land The Job.
Her latest release is The Connector's Advantage.
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Michelle believes real relationships lead to real results and specializes in teaching people how to communicate with confidence, clarity, and connection.
Her clients include JPMorgan, J&J, Deutsche Bank, Target, MetLife, Sony, Ernst & Young, and Madison Square Garden.
Passionate about education, Michelle served as an Adjunct Professor at NYU, on the faculty of the American Management Association, Lehigh Executive Education, and Rutgers Executive Education and the advisory board of Kean's Global Business School.
A regular in the media, Michelle has appeared on or been quoted by CBS, NBC, Fox, NPR, CNBC, the NY Times, the Wall Street Journal, Working Mother, US News & World Report, MSNBC, Forbes and USA Today among many others.
Registration:Contact: Member Services
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17 / October 2019
Key Updates and Insights in the U.S. Economy
Having a firm grasp on the current state of the economy is vital to any business valuation engagement. Business valuation experts and many other industry professionals rely on economic indicators as a key point of reference in their work. Economic factors can have a significant impact when valuing businesses, evaluating mergers and acquisitions, and a variety of other financial analyses. Read more >>


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This is the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) report on telephone subscribership in the United States, presenting subscribership statistics based on the Current Population Survey (CPS) conducted by the Census Bureau in March 2002. Statistics from that survey estimated that 95.5% of all households in the United States had telephone service. This is the highest penetration level ever reported. The telephone subscribership rate is up 0.6% from the last report, for November 2001. This change from November is statistically significant. The report also shows subscribership levels by state, income level, race, age, household size, and employment status.
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text: Known for his uncanny court vision, the 38-year-old NBA point guard is one of just 12 players to win the MVP award multiple times. His eye off the court is just as daring, through nine investments that are mostly sports-centric, including Liquid Nutrition (juice retailer), OneBode (supplements), the Vancouver Whitecaps Major League Soccer club and a string of gyms that bear his name. (more..)


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A short interview as a guest on the Michael Dresser radio show in December 2014.
A tree in a meadow.April 15th, 2015
Join me at the Mind Body Spirit Festival this Autumn!June 1st, 2015
Letting GoOctober 6th, 2014
My talk at the Tree of Life.August 5th, 2016
Your Simple Path talk, Birmingham.June 1st, 2016
Your Simple Path talk, Southampton.May 20th, 2016
Your Simple Path talk, Norwich.May 14th, 2016
Mind Body Spirit Festival, London.May 4th, 2016
Pay it Forward talk – Birmingham.April 18th, 2016
Thank you Colette!February 8th, 2016
Thank you …February 1st, 2016
Follow your heart, not the crowd.December 7th, 2015
Be kind to yourself, Let it go …December 6th, 2015
Listen to the opening chapter of Your Simple PathNovember 14th, 2015
Your Simple Path – now as an Audiobook!November 10th, 2015
What will it take for you to finally let go and follow your heart?October 23rd, 2015
Tree of Life talk – BirminghamOctober 15th, 2015
Don't wait. Live your life today.October 6th, 2015
Ultimate self care, simply live for today…September 30th, 2015
Be true to yourself, Be free.September 25th, 2015
Let it go …June 26th, 2015
Join me at the Mind Body Spirit Festival this Autumn!June 1st, 2015
A tree in a meadow.April 15th, 2015
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text:
It feels kind of mean to laugh at the covers of self-published and indie books — but some of the DIY covers out there do lend themselves to a kind of delightful head-scratching. There's a tumblr devoted to mocking Lousy Book Covers, and not surprisingly it's becoming insanely popular. (And Shumate also runs a site called Pulp of the Day, which pokes fun at some insane old pulp covers.)
More from Gizmodo
Dammit, I want to spend Christmas with a Yeti.


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Before I share this recipe with you, I should clarify that while a lot of my recipes are on the healthier side, this recipe isn't winning any awards for being health conscious. However, when I threw this meal together last week for Joe after a trip to the gym, he raved about how delicious it was and demanded that I blog about it. Usually Joe isn't one to demand I blog about anything, so when he insisted I obliged. In fact, I made a batch of this pasta earlier in the week and put it into lunch containers immediately so that Joe would be able to enjoy lunches at work that were better than turkey and cheese or PB&J.
If you're a fan of meals that are quick and easy to throw together and require very few ingredients (and really, who isn't?) then you will love this recipe. I've tried it both warm and cold and can say that both ways are delicious, although I do prefer it warm since the flavors are more pronounced.
After making this dish a couple times, I've been thinking of ways to add a little freshness to this dish, mainly something green. Although I didn't add any, a couple handfuls of arugula or a little fresh basil would be a great addition. Let me know if you try it and add anything different to your version, since I'm always looking for ways to adapt dishes and keep things fresh.
- 4 strips of bacon
- 2 cups whole wheat penne pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano or basil
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
- Meanwhile, cut bacon into small pieces. Place bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until bacon is very crispy and deeply colored. Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon from skillet and transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Add tomatoes to skillet with bacon drippings and cook tomatoes over medium high heat 2 to 4 minutes or until tomatoes are softened slightly. Add butter, oregano and red pepper flakes to skillet along with cooked pasta.
- Divide pasta mixture among two bowls. Top with the bacon. Serve immediately.


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Plaza P. Jeronimo de Córdoba, 14, 4103
Newly-built near the historical centre of Sevilla. Minutes away from the main monuments of the city. 19 rooms all with ensuite bathroom. Own air conditioning and heatins. Satellite TV. Direct line telephone. Access for disable people. Easy parking.
Cancellation is possible until any time of day 2 days prior to the check-in date without penalty.
A cancellation after that time or a no-show, will incur a penalty of 1 night's stay.


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Updated, Aug. 23, 6:30 a.m.: On a plain wall between tracks 113 and 114, a plywood door separates old from new at Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. It is the inconspicuous entrance to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's $11.1 billion East Side Access project — currently among the largest construction undertakings in the U.S.
The project will bring Long Island Rail Road service to Grand Central for the first time — if all goes well, by Dec. 31, 2022. It has been called a megaproject because of its scale — the new LIRR station at Grand Central will measure 350,000 square feet, the size of six football fields.
According to the MTA, the station will ease train congestion at Pennsylvania Station and cut thousands of Long Islanders' commutes by 20 to 40 minutes a day, saving them each a minimum of 10 work days in travel time a year.
"This is a transformational project for the Long Island Rail Road," said Bill Goodrich, senior program executive for the ESA project, who gave a group of 10 Herald staffers a tour of the construction site on Aug. 9.
The smell of recently poured cement filled the air in the cavernous halls leading into the dusty construction site. Bright overhead lamps created light pools that were surrounded by dark shadows. Drills and jackhammers wailed, while oversized fans whirred, doing little to cool the stifling heat. Wooden beams and marble tiles, quarried in Turkey, were stacked high.
Workers were scattered in all directions. Many were laying tiles on the cinder-block walls. Others were installing the high-rise escalators that will carry LIRR riders from the tunnels below to Grand Central and back again. In all, there will be 17 escalators. Nine are finished.
LIRR trains will arrive and depart on eight tracks, with four platforms on two levels, separated by a mezzanine. The concourse above will have 25 retail spaces. The deepest tunnel is 160 feet, or 15 stories, below Grand Central.
The project will enable the LIRR to add as many as 24 new trains, or a total of 288 cars, to its fleet, Goodrich said. Put another way, it will enable the railroad to increase rider capacity by 45 percent, from 300,000 to 435,000 daily commuters.
The LIRR currently plans to purchase 160 new cars, at a cost of $700 million, "to support ESA," according to Aaron Donovan, the MTA's deputy communications director.
The East Side Access project was first proposed in 1963. Engineering planning began in the 1990s, with "prep work" — including construction of a new train yard in the Bronx — beginning in the early 2000s. Construction of the tunnels themselves started in 2007, Donovan said.
Boring and blasting through eight miles of schist bedrock under Manhattan and three miles of wet soil and rock under Queens was arduous and time-consuming, noted Goodrich, who called the schist "a good, competent rock," capable of supporting skyscrapers.
Original plans, developed in the 1990s and early 2000s, put the cost between $3.5 billion and $4.5 billion. The Herald first toured the project in 2011, with the then president of MTA Capital Construction, Dr. Michael Horodniceanu. At the time, the MTA estimated that the project would cost $7.3 billion and be complete by 2016.
If work remains on its current schedule, the project will be $3.8 billion over the MTA's 2011 budget projection and six years late.
Since October 2012, MTA officials have felt an increased urgency to complete the project, Goodrich said, because doing so will free Amtrak to overhaul four train tunnels at Penn Station that Hurricane Sandy submerged in saltwater.
The East Side Access project is funded through 2020, Goodrich said, adding that a total of $10.3 billion will have been spent by that year. The state is largely funding the work, but the federal government and New York City are contributors as well. The State Legislature must approve $800 million to complete the final two years of work.
The project is now 75 percent complete, Goodrich said. "We'll get the funding after all these years," he added.
Goodrich ended the tour on the upper floor, above the train tunnels, in an expansive room where the ticket counter will be. He said with a smile that most riders would likely buy their tickets with the LIRR's cell-phone app by 2022. But, he said, "There'll always be a certain percentage" of riders who will want paper tickets.


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The UN and the Italian Swimming Federation are now partners in the Europe-wide ad competition and campaign "Drop by drop" following the sport body's enthusiastic acceptance of acting as a testimonial in the world of sport on the theme of preservation of water.
In the run-up to Rio+20, while the UNRIC-led information campaign on water powers ahead, the Italian Water Polo team, current holder of the world title won in Shanghai (China) last year, put their muscular strength behind a UN leading global message. Meeting in Eindhoven – where the Water Polo European Championships are unfolding, featuring Italy as one of the favourite squads for the title – the azzurri welcomed a delegation from UNRIC Brussels, posing for a picture portraying the "The Future We Want: Drop by Drop" banner, which invites people from forty-eight European countries to create a slogan that inspires others to preserve water.
"We are proud for having been chosen by the United Nations to represent this awareness campaign on water preservation", said Lorenzo Ravina, Head of the Italian delegation, meeting with UNRIC, "The Italian Swimming Federation, in particular through its rescue section, has always encouraged the culture of water and whatever, not only sport-wise, is linked to it. Training of lifeguards supervising the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants, is for example one of our core activities."
Sandro Campagna, former Olympic champion and coach of Italy's team, bolstered up the concept. "We embraced the cooperation with UNRIC with enthusiasm. Water is our natural element. It is our duty to contribute to highlight the principles disciplining its preservation. We therefore want to thank the UN for this unique opportunity it gave us", he commented during the training session that followed the official picture..
UNRIC, which spent the whole day with the team and its management, expanded on its campaigns and activity with two key national media outlets covering the event: in a live TV interview with RAI, the state-owned broadcasting network , and with Gazzetta dello Sport, Italy's most read newspaper. This was the opportunity to explain that UNRIC has increasingly drawn from the wide array of its interlocutors in the civil society to promote its messages and increase awareness of public at large on today's global crucial themes.
"The world of sport in particular is a powerful catalyst for achieving its objectives, in particular the Millennium Development Goals, and developing a culture of peace and development. The United Nations can make full use of this
cost-efficient tool to help us create a better world", UNRIC stressed quoting the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's words. They were echoed by the Italian waterpolo representative when he expressed his certainty that, "through our humble contribution, the UN is set to win its challenge: spread awareness about the value and importance of water throughout the world".
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485


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Blue Green Alpaca Cardigan Women's Fair Trade Apparel, "Amazonian Wonder"
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Classic motifs in shades of blue, green and turquoise evoke the grandeur of the Peruvian Amazons, the inspiration behind this cardigan. Ana Fernandez prefers genuine alpaca for her design, favoring this natural fleece for its softness, light weight and warmth. The round neck cardigan fastens with a zipper with an aged finish.
- 0.27 kgs
- 0.6 lbs
- Garment Measurements
- 58.4 cm Length (from high-point shoulder) x 86.4 cm Bust/chest x 76.2 cm Sleeve (center neck to cuff)
- 23" Length (from high-point shoulder) x 34" Bust/chest x 30" Sleeve (center neck to cuff)
- 66 cm Length (from high-point shoulder) x 101.6 cm Bust/chest x 81.3 cm Sleeve (center neck to cuff)
- 26" Length (from high-point shoulder) x 40" Bust/chest x 32" Sleeve (center neck to cuff)
- 61 cm Length (from high-point shoulder) x 91.4 cm Bust/chest x 77.5 cm Sleeve (center neck to cuff)
- 24" Length (from high-point shoulder) x 36" Bust/chest x 30.5" Sleeve (center neck to cuff)
- 63.5 cm Length (from high-point shoulder) x 96.5 cm Bust/chest x 78.7 cm Sleeve (center neck to cuff)
- 25" Length (from high-point shoulder) x 38" Bust/chest x 31" Sleeve (center neck to cuff)
- View size chart
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"Beautiful pattern and colors"
Lightweight and very fine knit great for spring and fall
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Amazonian Wonder, Blue Green Alpaca Cardigan Women's Fair Trade Apparel
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"Cant wait to wear this!"
Im a bit fussy about feel and fit, and particular about my colors;this sweater hits all the marks and Im actually looking forward to colder weather! Thank you, Amazing Novica Artist!!
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"One of my favorite sweaters"
I really like the colors of the sweater, and it fits well too. I would buy it again if I needed to.
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"This is now my favorite pullover"
First, the quality is superb! I also love the colors, bright and beautiful. Every time I wear it, I get compliments on how original the sweater is. I live in New York and winters are cold here. This pullover is also very warm. Overall, this is my favorite one to wear when it gets cold. I would highly recommend this product.
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"Great color sweater"
Great fit and looks great on.
Purchased Item:
Romantic Nature in Indigo, Nature-Themed 100% Baby Alpaca Cardigan in Indigo from Peru
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"Very Fashionable"
The sweater is beautiful with a lovely pattern. It is very light weight just perfect for my Florida climate. But it is also nice and warm when our air conditioning gets too cold. Looks great with jeans as well as a dressy outfit. Beautiful workmanship and excellent price for its quality.
Best Uses
- Perfect sweater to take on a vacation
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This artist has dramatically improved their livelihood by working with NOVICA.
This artist uses traditional techniques handed down through the generations and/or creates culturally significant items, helping keep these traditions alive.
This artist positively impacts their community through job creation and provides jobs for 2 or more people.
The Women's Empowerment badge is awarded to female artisans or artisan groups that are led by women.
This artist supports children under the age of 18.
Ana Fernandez
"For me, designing is a fusion of ideas."
"I remember when I was seven, my family took part in the traditional town fiestas that celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. There are special church services and performances by the masked dancers of La cofradía de los negritos de Huánuco who wear velvet costumes embroidered with strands of silver and gold. Some years later, my parents wanted us to know more about these dancers and took us to their village where we were delighted by the customs.
"The townspeople were quite ingenious in creating their clothing and for the first time in my life, I saw how a fiber becomes yarn that is transformed into a warm sweater. Mothers knit the sweaters themselves for their loved ones, knitting virgin wool in the wonderful combinations of colors and textures they learned from their own moms. I also saw how they wove blankets on a handloom, then used these to wrap their babies and carry them on their backs as the women worked in the fields while taking care of their children.
"When I was a girl, my mother noticed that I liked design, so she took me to different workshops where I could practice drawing and painting. When I finished school, I planned to study graphic design but when I learned we had a fashion institute, I decided to change my major.
"I enrolled and began learning the basics of fashion design while, at the same time, studying international commerce. But I didn't finish, because I had to find work.
"Over the following years, I worked for several textile businesses that created apparel with natural fiber fabrics, and I fell in love with knitted and crocheted designs. You can do so much with the most varied stitches!
"When I discovered my passion for knits, I decided to follow my dream of working on my own. I met my business partner, Juan Carlos, who had a lot of experience in operating a textile workshop. We decided to work together.
"At first, we created styles for babies and children. Then we branched into alpaca wool and cotton clothing for adults.
"For me, designing is a fusion of ideas. It begins with the creative stage that blends fashion trends with my own favorite sources of inspiration, which are Victorian textiles and our Peruvian culture. In my designs, these influences result in colorful apparel in geometric and paisley motifs created with different knitting techniques. The cut enhances the beauty of each design.
"I love designing apparel of alpaca wool and cotton because this really makes a contribution to society. It lets me give jobs to local people, especially women who want to get ahead and move to central Peru seeking a better future.
"Thanks to all of you who appreciate my designs. Each one is the work of a team of more than 20 artisans who collaborate with me. It is their effort and dedication that make it possible for you to enjoy beautiful knitted clothing with unique handcrafted details."


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Devastating 2011 drought killed 301 million trees on forestland across Texas, Texas A&M Forest Service survey shows
COLLEGE STATION, Texas
September 25, 2012
(press release)
– A Texas A&M Forest Service survey of hundreds of forested plots scattered across the state shows 301 million trees were killed as a result of the devastating 2011 drought.
The number was determined by a study of both on-the-ground tree health assessments collected during a three-month period earlier this year and satellite imagery from before and after the drought.
The findings fall right in the middle of original estimates gathered last fall that indicated roughly 100 million to 500 million trees had died as a result of the drought.
"The drought produced traumatic results, especially for individual landowners. But the good news is the forest is resilient. When a dead tree falls over, a young, new tree eventually will grow back in its place," said Burl Carraway, department head for the Texas A&M Forest Service Sustainable Forestry department. "Tree death is a natural forest process. We just had more last year than previous years."
The findings represent the number of trees in rural, forested areas that died as a direct result of the drought, as well as those that succumbed to insect infestation or disease because they were drought-stressed.
The figure does not include trees in cities and towns. Another 5.6 million trees in urban areas — along streets and in yards and parks — also died as a result of the drought, according to a study done earlier this year by the Texas A&M Forest Service Urban Forestry program.
The drought assessment of rural, forested areas was done in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis program and the Texas A&M University Ecosystem Science and Management Department.
As part of the analysis, the state was divided into 10 sections: Panhandle, Trans Pecos, North, Central, South and the Brazos Valley, as well as four East Texas regions. (See map.)
Some forested areas suffered worse than others. The Brazos Valley region was hit the hardest, losing almost 10 percent of its trees on forested land. North Texas and western Northeast Texas suffered similar fates, losing 8.3 percent and 8.2 percent, respectively.
Trees in far East Texas seemed to fare the best with just 1.3 percent of trees succumbing to the drought in eastern Southeast Texas and just 3.9 percent dying in eastern Northeast Texas.
"So what's the fate of these trees? The vast majority are going to stand out there — until they eventually fall to the ground," Texas A&M Forest Service Analyst Chris Edgar said, stressing that standing, dead trees located near homes or recreation areas should be removed.
Edgar estimated that an existing 272 million standing dead trees already littered the landscape before the drought. That number is expected to double now, which will produce both positive and negative effects.
The standing, dead trees will provide additional habitats for insects, birds and wildlife. Fallen trees will do the same, while also adding structure to the forest floor which helps prevent soil erosion.
Conversely, they'll also begin to release their stored carbon back into the atmosphere and could become potential hazards during times of high winds and dangerous fire conditions.
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As per our front page, Hasbro are doing another Redemption promotion, but it only lasts 12/25 - 1/31. Spend $20 (before tax/shipping charges) and get a freebie. The Star Wars item most appealing on the list is the Deluxe Figure/Vehicle set.They had a lot of items to choose from, and if you are like me and spend a lot, this is a sharp way to get some toys to donate, or some items for your kids or whatnot.
Another 2 for $10.99 sale at Toys R Us this week. Seems like every other week now. Obviously doesn't include vintage. Spiderman, Marvel Universe, Iron Man2 and GI JOE are included.
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corner office
Last week was a bit slower than usual, so it's been nice to clear off my desk & set out some (surprise, surprise) peonies. It won't look like this for long, this week has already been much busier so it's back to its usual messy self. Oh well!
Other Stories
9 comments:
Peonies are my favorite!ReplyDelete
So Nice to see how you use your Neo bowl at home! We have lots of colours in our store and I just love playing with them and stacking different colours together but black is a definite favourite.ReplyDelete
x Leah
Lovely to have a clean workspace, I just wish mine would stay that way longer too! Love your huge calender on the wall (where's it from?)ReplyDelete
Peonies are one of my favourite flowers, so delicate and the petals are like paper tissue.
I love clean desks. It makes me feel so much more inspired than when it's a big mess. I am curious by the way: What's that bottle?ReplyDelete
b e a u t i f u lReplyDelete
and what an inspiring blog you have
- AnonymousJune 05, 2012
You photos have always inspired me to take clear, natural light, shots when I got my own DSLR. So, for my graduation recently my parents got me a a Cannon Rebel t3i and I love it! Still learning..my shots are all on automatic settings but I am making an effort to move towards manual settings. Great job as always! Your photos are always so crisp and clean! If you have time check out my blog! PS: it was super awesome to see Joanna Goddard recommend your jewelry, "It's all happening!" - (from the movie Almost Famous)ReplyDelete
xoxo Ali
What a refreshing office. I've always believed you can be more productive as well as more inspired from the areas you surround yourself in. I can see why you have wonderful posts :)ReplyDelete
Cathy Trails
There it is again your black bowl ^_^ReplyDelete
Very nice office.
Few things make my smile like peonies! Well, and a wonderfully clean desk... but peonies happen more often in our house than a clean desk :)ReplyDelete
Thank you for your comments, I love hearing from you!
Questions, comments or sponsorship inquires, please contact me via the 'contact' link.


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(MCT) CHICAGO—A federal judge sentenced a Chicago man on Tuesday to nearly 10 years in prison for planning to wage jihad in Somalia for a terrorist group connected to al-Qaida, saying his willingness to die in a suicide mission was "disturbing to this court."
Shaker Masri, 29, a native U.S. citizen of Syrian descent, pleaded guilty in July to attempting to provide material support to the Somali group al-Shabaab, which is designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization.
U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman said she took into account Masri's younger age, mental health and stress from his mother's recent sudden death in accepting the sentence worked out between prosecutors and his lawyers — 9 years and 10 months in prison — even though he faced up to 15 years under sentencing guidelines.
To ensure that Masri would remain under the careful watch of authorities long after his release from prison, the judge also ordered that he be placed under supervised release for 20 years, much longer than usual.
While on supervised release, Masri's Internet usage will be limited and his computer and his financial records subject to search at any time, the judge said. She also ordered him to perform community service until he can find a job.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Hammerman said the lengthy supervised release was necessary.
"Mr. Masri presents a risk to the community..." the prosecutor said. "Mr. Masri was determined to join in some jihadist conflict... He wanted to die in a suicide operation."
Masri was arrested in August 2010 as he prepared to leave the country and has been in custody ever since.
An FBI informant had befriended Masri and learned about his intent to join in terrorist activities, authorities said.
Hammerman told the judge how Masri had expressed beliefs that he would receive heavenly rewards for his actions. The prosecutor said no objection has been made to Masri's "jihadist ideology."
At that point, Masri raised his right hand and asked to speak. After conferring with his attorneys, though, Masri chose to remain silent.
Later, when he was formally given the opportunity to address the judge, he responded, "No, thank you."
Masri appeared before the judge in an orange prison jumpsuit with his ankles shackled. His head was shaved and his beard meticulously kept.
Masri's lead attorney, Thomas Anthony Durkin, had opposed the 20 years of supervised release, noting his client would be an old man by the time he was completel free of court restrictions.
"With all due respect, 50 years old is not old," Johnson Coleman said. "You've still got a lot of time left.
But Joshua Dratel, another Masri attorney, pointed out that Masri would actually be closer to 60 by the time he was no longer on supervised released.
"Still not old," the judge said.
Even with 20 years of supervised release, Durkin said the sentence was "a reasonable resolution under difficult circumstances."
As part of his deal with prosecutors, Masri has waived his right to appeal his sentencing.
©2012 Chicago Tribune
Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services


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This week will be a shortened article and the last I will write for awhile because I'll be thinking about what I would like to write with the holidays coming up, but I have to take a break. Most of you know I broke my hip and femur a year ago. The doctors told me I was just a slow healer, but for the last month I seemed to be going backwards and this last couple of weeks I knew something was wrong and really wrong when I was no longer able to walk. My hardware all came lose from my femur just because that bone wouldn't heal. My only option is to have a bone graft and new hardware put in so you can see I will be healing and not writing.
I want to wish all my readers a very "Happy Thanksgiving" and the holiday season filled with love for those you love and for all who love you "Merry Christmas."
Always around this time I get this request for stuffing:
1 cup butter
2 cups chopped celery
2 cups chopped onion
1 teaspoon poultry
1 1/2 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon thyme
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups chicken broth
12 cups dry bread
Mix butter, celery, onion, spices, eggs and broth together. Add bread crumbs, stir to blend. Cook in sprayed slow cooker on high for 45 minutes; reduce heat for 6 hours. Serves 10 to 12.
"I'll be writing as soon as I'm up to it."


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- Introduction
- Where Are We Today?
- The Physical Benefits of Exercise
- The Psychological Benefits of Exercise
- Getting Started
- What Works
- Conclusion
As dietitians, we spend most of our time with clients talking about what they should eat. What some people might not realize is that dietitians are the first to admit diet alone doesn't cut it (shocking, we know). In the never-ending battle to lengthen life, exercise is essential.
As we age, our bodies' ability to get up and go can sometimes be impaired, leaving us with the question, "What's so 'golden' about the golden years?" If heart disease, osteoporosis, and declining mental status are in some cases inevitable, why are we working so hard? HIV researchers may be wondering the same thing.
Since HIV attacks the immune system, and older adults in general have a greater turnover of CD4 cells, we have to ask how the combination of the two affects immune health. Older adults with HIV have a greater CD4 cell loss than younger people. It remains to be seen if those infected in their youth will experience a greater rate of CD4 cell turnover as they age.
Heart disease (cardiovascular disease) is the number one cause of death for both older men and older women. Its risk increases with age, and our genes are still the most important factor in its development. Smoking, obesity, a poor diet, and inactivity also play a role. These risk factors can be eliminated by making certain lifestyle changes. But are those changes as effective in older adults with HIV?
There is very little known about how HIV treatments will affect the conditions commonly seen in aging. We know that HIV meds increase the risk of body fat complications. In an effort to combat these, doctors recommend behavior changes to improve cardiovascular health. Are these changes, such as exercise, as effective for an HIV-positive 65-year-old? The relationship is complex and the answer is still unclear.
While we are always learning more about treatment approaches for older adults with HIV, we don't have much to work with other than the methods used for HIV-negative older adults. Physical activity is key in the prevention and treatment of chronic illness. Even though we may not have all the answers, it is important to look at the facts and where we stand today in order.
Where Are We Today?
Twenty-seven percent of all people living with AIDS in the U.S. are over 50. In New York City this percentage jumps to over 36% for those over 50 and a whopping 74% over 40. We are currently experiencing a boom in the number HIV-positive older adults as prognosis and treatment of the virus improves.
At least 60% of adults in the U.S. are not regularly active at the level recommended for good health. Only 22% of those over 65 report that they are regularly physically active. Latinos and women are less active than non-Latinos and males. (These groups made up 26% and 17% respectively of the newly diagnosed HIV cases in 2006.) As we age, the time we set aside for leisure also increases. From the age of 55 it is estimated that adults in the U.S. spend up to 33% of their time engaging in leisure activities.
The amount of time dedicated to leisure time physical activity (LTPA) is often influenced by social networks and socioeconomic status. LTPA is defined as exercise, sports, recreation, or hobbies that are not associated with one's regular life duties. What specifically influences LTPA is not completely understood. A study published in Epidemiologic Community Health found that some barriers to activity were a lack of social support, access to exercise facilities or city sidewalks, education, care giving duties, a high-crime environment, lack of scenery, and age. It should also be noted that women, older adults, those of lower socioeconomic status, and people of color are the least active. Infection is highest among minority and lower income populations (nearly one in four African-Americans and one in five Latinos live in poverty).
It is likely that people who are HIV-positive, aging, and of low income are not engaging in regular physical activity as frequently as the U.S. population as a whole. Many AIDS organizations are taking on the changing and more complex needs of older adults, but offering LTPA for this population is a challenge.
The Physical Benefits of Exercise
Exercise can help increase muscle mass, improve appetite, and increase the number of "feel-good" neurotransmitters in the brain.
Older people experience physiological and psychological changes over time, such as loss of lean body mass, poor appetite, and depression. Exercise can help increase muscle mass, improve appetite, and increase the number of "feel-good" neurotransmitters in the brain. Additionally, exercise can combat fatigue by increasing energy and can improve immune function. While there are many physical benefits of exercise, one of the most important for the older people with HIV is the improvement and maintenance of muscle mass.
Muscle wasting is common in HIV, and as the muscles waste they lose their function. Strength training helps maintain muscle function and can increase lean body mass. Examples of strength training include weight lifting, yoga, tai chi, and calisthenics. A review of the effectiveness of resistance training among older adults with HIV was recently featured in Clinical Science. The study found that progressive resistance training increased strength, improved physical fitness, reduced upper and lower limb skin folds, and was associated with an improvement in CD4 counts.
Exercise can also play a vital role in controlling some of the long-term effects of HIV drugs. Metabolic complications such as high cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar are common in people taking these meds. These are also a complication of aging, so people who are over 50 and taking HIV drugs are at greater risk of them. Recommendations to combat these issues generally include a healthy diet and regular exercise, but it remains to be seen how effective that will be in older adults with HIV.
Long-term use of HIV medications can lead to changes in body composition, known as lipodystrophy and lipoatrophy. Lipodystrophy is defined as changes in the body's fat, and is characterized by lipoatrophy (loss of fat from the arms, legs and face) and lipohypertrophy (increased fat in the abdomen or back of the neck). It is psychologically distressing and physiologically dangerous, as it may worsen metabolic complications.
A study of resistance exercise in adults with HIV was featured in AIDS Care. It found significant increases in weight, lean body mass, and sum of chest, arm, and thigh circumference among those who engaged in aerobic exercise and weight training compared with those who did not. Increasing arm and thigh circumference decreases the severity of lipoatrophy, as muscle is developing in areas where wasting may commonly occur. The study also noted that waist circumference was significantly decreased in those who exercised with weights. Evidently, resistance training combined with aerobic exercise is an effective way to prevent the side effects that can occur with HIV, its treatment, and aging.
The Psychological Benefits of Exercise
Aside from the physical benefits of exercise, research has shown there are significant psychological benefits as well. For one, exercise is an effective way to reduce stress, and chronic stress has been associated with suppression of immune function. Exercise reduces cortisol, which is frequently referred to as the "stress hormone." Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels may weaken the immune system over time, and can result in impaired inflammatory processes.
Depression is a concern, especially in those with HIV. The psychological demands of HIV medications and the stress of living with HIV can be overwhelming. While exercise is not a cure for depression, it can certainly improve it. Exercise raises the levels of "feel-good" neurotransmitters (such as serotonin), and an increased heart rate boosts the amount of endorphins circulating throughout the body. Exercise should not be substituted for antidepressant medications, but should be considered as an additional treatment.
Exercise is also a healthy coping mechanism. There are many studies linking emotional processes to immune function, showing a direct association between psychological processes and illness. Research shows that poor psychological defenses are associated with a weakened defense against HIV, and may result in greater numbers of opportunistic infections. Lower rates of depression and stress also lead to increased adherence to HIV meds.
Getting Started
The American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend that adults over 65 engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week (which can be broken into three 10-minute segments).
But most older adults do not get enough physical activity. Many feel that exercise is for the young. Additionally, they believe that it is costly and often associate exercise with extreme exertion. Their self-efficacy (the belief that they have the ability to achieve certain goals) can be low, and the perceived cost high. Those who do meet exercise recommendations are often well-educated on the benefits of physical exercise, have a high level of self-efficacy, and receive adequate social support.
In a study published in The Journal of Medical Science Sports Exercise, 208 individuals with HIV rated their "stages of change" for exercise: 48% were in the precontemplation stage, 25% in the contemplation stage, 70% in the preparation stage, and 63% in the maintenance stage. Remarkably, no one was in the action stage. The difference between the desire to exercise and actually starting an exercise program is profound. Considering the socioeconomic, ethnic, and psychosocial strains on older people with HIV, there is a risk of a rapid decline in their overall health over the next decade.
What Works
Health professionals know that exercise can improve body composition, mood, and immune strength. But we need to continue to educate HIV-positive older adults that moderate physical activity can be achieved at any age. A belief that exercise is possible in spite of barriers and constraints is associated with a greater chance of starting to exercise.
A major barrier to exercise is access to facilities and programs. But physical activity can be done at home, in parks, backyards, or even at the grocery store. Simple enjoyable activities like gardening, walking, or dancing can contribute to activity goals, as long as activities are moderate and last for at least ten minutes. Resistance exercise can be accomplished by lifting cans or other household objects.
Making a list of all the tasks that require physical activity can make remind people that chores like going to the store are part of one's recommended exercise for the day. Activity goals should be small and measurable at first, such as walking or dancing for 10 minutes three times a day. Long-term goals can be ambitious, but make sure that they are realistic and flexible. Having a concrete plan is recommended.
According to the self-efficacy theory, there are four major areas that help older adults believe in their ability to perform specific tasks: accomplishments, learning by watching others, verbal encouragement, and physical and emotional responses. Creating a positive experience and support system for older adults is important. For example, observing other older adults exercise, receiving feedback from family or health care providers, or experiencing the benefits of walking outdoors on a sunny day can help increase the desire to engage in exercise.
Doing a little research to find exercise groups at local senior centers can be helpful. Internet access is not always available, so your community may benefit from having a printed list of centers to give to clients. Encouraging older adults to recruit an exercise buddy can also be a great way to help keep them going. Dietitians, doctors, nurses, social workers, and caregivers can also provide support for clients.
Advances in HIV treatment have made HIV a chronic disease for many, and while this is still a young disease, it is beginning to affect the old. The benefits of exercise for those with HIV are great, especially for those over 50. While the long-term benefits for older adults with HIV may not be known, we do know the benefits today. Exercise results in improved body composition, strength, heart health, mood, and life satisfaction. Adherence to HIV treatment is vital for longevity among this population -- but optimizing health with good nutrition and physical activity is fundamental.
Sarah Robertson and Margaret Swift are HIV Nutrition Specialists at Gay Men's Health Crisis.
Want to read more articles in the Fall 2009 issue of Achieve_? Click here._


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Winchester police are still looking for the culprit or culprits responsible for last week's bank robbery. Police received a report that the Citizens Bank at 791 Main St. had been robbed at about 11:06 a.m. Wednesday morning, Dec. 17.
Winchester police are still looking for the culprit or culprits responsible for last week's bank robbery.
Police received a report that the Citizens Bank at 791 Main St. had been robbed at about 11:06 a.m. Wednesday morning, Dec. 17.
According to Detective Lt. James Pierce, a white male, approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall, wearing a grey ski hat and grey/black ski jacket, passed a note to the bank teller demanding money. The man claimed he had a gun, but didn't show the weapon, Pierce said.
A witness to the robbery told police they observed a man fitting their description run across Main Street and get into the back of a waiting vehicle.
"He got some money, [but] we don't know what the amount is yet," said Pierce.
According to Lt. John Alford, detectives were investigating at the scene throughout the day and patrols were on the lookout for a white, 1996-2000 Chrysler Cirrus, with two male occupants.
The bank was turning customers away in the afternoon, as police continued their investigation.
A sign in the window informed patrons, "Due to an emergency, this bank branch is temporarily closed."The bank has since reopened.
The robbery was Winchester's first bank heist in more than three years.
On Oct. 4, 2005, Sovereign Bank at 7 Church St., was robbed according to police.
Two Somerville residents were arrested in connection to that incident.
Previous to that, on May 27, 2005, the Citizens Bank branch was again the victim of a hold up.
According to the report, a Woburn man walked into the bank and showed the teller a note that said, "Give me all your money quick. I have a gun."Police eventually tracked the robber down and arrested him.
According to Alford, Winchester doesn't get many bank robberies due to the high amount of traffic in town and due to the fact that easy access to local highways is virtually nonexistent.
Eric Tsetsi can be reached at 781-674-7731 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
If you have any information about last week's robbery you can call the Winchester Police at 781-729-1212.
For some interesting statistics on the number of bank robberies across the country this year check out the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Web site.